Stage Presence Tips
Choose your song very carefully, selecting one well within your voice range. If you can't hit
that high B-flat more than nine times out of ten, don't do it. You want to be completely confident
about your song. Also, the more you enjoy the song, the more any onlooker will as well. Never
sing when you can't, especially if your throat is sore or strained!
Project your voice! Ever notice that the people who get the big parts are the ones who can
speak and sing very loudly! You could be the best actor in the world, but if you're so quiet that
you can't be heard above the music, who's going to know about it? Practice ahead of time. Go
outside and just belt out whatever comes to mind as loud as you possibly can. (Just don't make it
look like screaming) It will help. However, if louder means more off-key, be careful, because
nobody likes to listen to a wrong note that is very loud.
Portray yourself always as poised, confident, calm, and happy. think of it as a showcase of
your talent or a show you're putting on- that can help.
Be confident! (Or, "Act" confident.) Confidence is key--if you look confident (even if you don't feel
that way), the directors will probably like your performance more. Having the guts to stand in front
of an audience and sing out with confidence is courageous, and they'll like you for it!
Love the songs you sing. It's common sense, but if you do not have your heart and soul in a
song you will come off as fake and/or cheesy. Even if it's a cover, try to relate to the lyrics and the
feeling as much as possible.
Smile as much as you can. Even the most "emo" acts need to look like they're having a good
time, because moodiness does not come over well to the audience. Let them see you are having
a great time, and the effect will rub off on them. This doesn't mean you can't change up the feel
for different songs, it just means you shouldn't look serious the whole time you are performing.
Move around! Come on, don't just stand there looking awkward! If you constantly move, even
just a little bit, your motion will attract the audience's eyes. Good examples of singers who moved
around a lot include Axl Rose, Freddy Mercury, David Lee Roth, Bruce Dickinson, Michael
Jackson, Bono,, Hayley Williams, and Robert Plant. Look up some of your favorite artists on
Youtube to see what they do on stage, and go onto the next step.
Steal moves from the big guys. Go ahead, no one is going to fault you if you take some
pointers from well-known singers. Axl Rose was renowned for his stage presence, by fans and
critics alike. Don't copy one person, and don't copy their whole routine. Take the bits that you
enjoy the most and make them your own. Eventually, after seeing how comfortable they are doing
"crazy" stuff on stage, you'll feel more comfortable in your body doing your own stage moves.
Learn to use facial expressions and poses to go with the emotions. Be careful not to tighten
your throat or do other actions that would inhibit good vocal technique! Watch Geoff Tate for
someone who correctly vocalizes while dramatically expressing emotions.
Remember- sometimes, these things are unfair. Because you didn't get a part doesn't always
mean you don't deserve it, or that you are less talented than the person who did. But whatever
happens, accept it with grace. Never demand another audition. Always be kind and respectful to
the directors and the person who got the part you wanted, even if you are cursing at them inside.
But try to avoid that too.
Always say, "Thank you for your time." afterward.